lao sze chuan

Lao Sze Chuan is the staple restaurant that not only the shopping center at Montrose and Hawthorne needed…but the restaurant that the whole neighborhood needed. Beginning the moment you walk in, you truly feel the Montrose charm and personality as you’re seated quickly, in a friendly manner, and no time is wasted getting you set up. No long waits for your beverage, no delays in getting you silverware or chopsticks, and definitely no shortage of recommendations and menu advice. From the Cucumber w/ Peanuts in Chili Sauce which represents a light and cool appetizer, to the rich Garlic Pork Belly that will have you thinking you just ordered the star of the menu, even down to the splashing excellence of the soup dumplings—even the appetizers let you know that you’re going to be in for a treat. My dad and I eat here every Wednesday, and every Wednesday we find ourselves leaving and saying “wow, are we glad Lao Sze Chuan came to the neighborhood”. My dad’s favorite dishes, Szechuan Style Prawns and Boiled Fish Fillet in Spicy Sze Chuan Sauce both highlight the amazing spectrum of spices and flavors that the restaurant has harnessed, and once you get either of them, you’ll be hard pressed to order anything else ever again. Luckily, my own favorite dish, Tony’s Favorite Chicken, is too good to skip twice in a row, and it finds its way to our table often. Tony’s Favorite Chicken is crunchy, glistening, and photogenic in a way that makes it the greatest chicken dish I’ve ever had at a Chinese restaurant even before you taste it! Do yourself a favor and get it at least once (a week) and thank me later. If great service, comfortable ambience, amazing food, and this review isn’t enough to get you through the door, just know that the restaurant’s owner is one of the kindest and most genuine individuals I have ever met, and she has made a habit of coming to the restaurant on the days my dad and I visit so that she can personally greet us. The world is tough right now. Sometimes you need a reprieve from the stress and the struggles and the weight of life. My dad and I were lucky enough to find Lao Sze Chuan to give us that weekly reprieve through a meal. Maybe the restaurant can be a similar sanctuary for you, and maybe you’ll see my dad and I during your own breath-catching opportunity.

3 months ago

This restaurant has an amazing menu. Never disaapoints. What drove me to write a review is the new addition, Hibiscus Egg Blossom. Their take on egg-foo-young. Just wonderful. Martin is an awesome mixologist with Lychee Martins. Casual dining, fair pricing, and unforgettable flavor!

4 months ago

The environment here is fantastic! Our food is served hot and delicious immediately after finishing order. The staff is friendly and welcoming. They recommend us upon our request, and all the food we ordered was delicious (chef kiss!) Remember to order the tony's favorite chicken !!! It's really good, highly recommended!

4 months ago

I came for lunch and had the boiled fish lunch special with hot&sour soup. ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT!!! The "lunch special" menu is quite extensive. My friend had the two pepper chicken and loved it. Great service and good ice tea. I will definitely be back!

10 months ago

Lao Sze Chuan has delicious food served in a clean and trendy establishment. They have a wide ranging menu with fair prices. The pork soup dumplings were great with a perfectly steamed outside to piping hot flavorful broth on the inside. The sesame chicken had a nice sweet and spicy flavor and I felt it was not over breaded. The staff was very nice and helpful as well

a year ago